Overview of the Weekly Reading: Massey
To be read on 1 Av 5765 (Aug. 6)
Torah: Numbers
33:1-36:13
Haftorah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2 (Second haftorah
of affliction)
Pirkei Avot Chapter
2
Massey is the 10th Reading out of 10 in Numbers
and 43rd overall, and 39th out of 54 in overall
length.
Massey
begins listing the 42 different journeys the Jews traversed during their
40 years in the desert. Then, G-d commands that when the Jews will cross
the Jordan to conquer the land of Canaan, they must completely drive
out the inhabitants and destroy all idolatry. The Land is then to be
divided according to tribes and families through a special type of Divinely
conducted lottery system. G-d also defines the specific borders of the
Land and lists leaders from each tribe who will help parcel out the
Land. The Levites are also to be given 48 residential cities. These
include 6 cities of refuge-havens to which the accidental murderer escapes
from the blood avenger, a relative of the killed. Here are detailed
many laws concerning intentional and unintentional bloodshed. The parsha
ends with the tribe of Menashe complaining that their tribal inheritance
would be diminished due to the daughters of Tzelofchad inheriting their
father’s portion. The sisters are then told that if they want to keep
the inheritance, they must marry only men from their own tribe ensuring
that their sons who inherit the land would also be from the tribe of
Menashe.
With the conclusion of Massai, we complete the book of Bamidbar (Numbers).
Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek!
FROM THE MASTERS OF
KABBALA (K:42-65/Mattot)
From the holy
Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
(Z:43-65/Massey)
It is also written that the wise hearted women "spun with
their hands". What is this "spinning"? Rabbi Yehuda said
that they spun together strictness and mercy.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on
our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From the holy Ari,
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed (A:42-65/Mattot)
Now we will explain the idea of a vow. Just as Arich Anpin looks
out and shines forth from its forehead of goodwill toward the forehead
of Zeir Anpin and its intellect, so does Zeir Anpin look out toward the
forehead of its Nukva in order to shine his three intelligences to her.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on
our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From the "Ohr
HaChaim". (S:43-65/Massey)
The Torah itself describes the superior nature of these journeys
by stressing that they occurred as an aftermath of the Exodus from Egypt,
i.e. after the Israelites had been refined in the Exodus from Egypt -
after the Israelites had been refined in the iron crucible called Egypt.
This enabled them to isolate sparks of sanctity wherever they would encounter
them.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on
our KabbalaOnline
site.
FROM THE CHASSIDIC
REBBES (V:43-65/Massey)
"These are the journeys of the Children of Israel."
(33:1)
In the entire narrative of the Jewish people's journeys through the
desert, the Hebrew letter "zayin" does not appear even
once. This alludes to the fact that they did not journey on Shabbat
("zayin," with a numerical equivalent of seven, alludes
to the seventh day), and that they did not need to resort to weapons
("zayin" also means weaponry or arms).
(Ahavat HaTorah)
A
MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE
from the Chabad
Master series, produced by Rabbi Yosef Marcus for
www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org
MOSHIACH THIS WEEK
(M:43-65/Massey)
"These are the journeys of the Children of Israel."
(Num. 33:1)
Moses documented all the journeys of the Children of Israel through the
desert; this record then became part and parcel of the Torah. Similarly,
all the wanderings and misfortunes of the Jewish people during the present
exile are being recorded; when Moshiach comes, they will constitute a
book from which all will learn.
(Rabbi David of Lelov)
[Reprinted with permission from L'Chaim Magazine (www.lchaim.org).]
An
essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here) (W:43-65/Massey)
There are a number of convergences this Shabbat, and each one
should be taken advantage of to advance spiritually. First, we read Parshat
Massai, meaning 'journeys'. This reminds us that life is a journey, more
like a marathon than a sprint.
Second, as it is also the last portion of the book of Bamidbar, we bless
each other at its conclusion, Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek.
Third, this Shabbat is also Rosh Chodesh-the 'head' of the month,
and fourth, it is also Rosh Chodesh of the month of Av, the beginning
of the nine days of mourning connected to the destruction of the Temples.
Fifth and finally, it is the Shabbat that precedes the 5th day of Av,
the Hillula (day of the passing) of the great tzadik and kabbalist,
Rabbi Yitzchok Luria-the 'Ari'-the 'Lion of Safed'. Shabbat is the vessel
for all the blessings of the week that follows it. Our success at connecting
to the secrets the Ari taught depends on our action on the Shabbat before.
Avraham HaLevi was a very pious person who served first as a sexton for
Rabbi Moshe Cordevero and after his passing, for the Ari. One Shabbat
afternoon during the portion of Balak, R' Avraham came to the Ari and
found him sleeping.
The Ari taught that sleeping on Shabbat, specifically in the daytime,
is very important (though not during the week). Only on Shabbat is there
a possibility of one's soul connecting to the soul of a tzadik
in heaven, who will help and enlighten that person.
R' Avraham could hear the Ari speaking softly and leaned over to hear
what he was saying. This awakened the Ari and he asked R' Avraham what
it is he wanted there? R' Avraham answered, 'Forgive me my master, but
I saw you speaking Torah.'
The Ari said that each time he would sleep on Shabbat, his soul would
ascend until the angel who is the Minister of the Interior of the heavens,
who would ask the Ari at which yeshiva would he like to study.
The Ari told R' Avraham that, "Heaven and earth are my witness,
even if I would lecture for 80 years without pause I would not be able
to finish teaching what I learned during this visit about Balaam and the
donkey."
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained one of the most basic lessons from Parshat
Massai is that every Jew-young and old, educated and ignorant, wise and
not-yet-wise-has to "journey", constantly on the move, rising
from one level to the next higher level in his understanding of and in
his connection to G-d. Every child is able, every adult is obliged.
The reason 'journeys' is plural hints to us, not only that the challenge
to grow is constantly renewed, but also, that this challenge includes
both the body and the soul. A person must train and purify his body so
it may be used in service of G-d.
The Rebbe mentioned the Rebbe Rashab who was once asked what was the
Torah source for a certain action he did. The Rashab answered that while
at this moment he did not remember the source, he was sure there was one
since he had long since trained his body to do what it needed to do only
according to the Torah code of law.
The Munkatcher Rebbe ("Torat Shabbat") quoted the Ari about
the 42 journeys the portion discusses. This number hints to the divine
name of 'Mem Bet'-42-that is coded into the part of the liturgy called
'Ana B'koach' of the daily prayers. This prayer is like a ladder into
the higher spiritual realms.
According to the Ari, we also say the Ana B'Koach formula during
the Kabbalat Shabbat service because there is no greater journey of the
week than into the spiritual power of the higher worlds of Shabbat. The
Ari also requires that when saying kadish during Kabbalat
Shabbat, one intends the intentions of Ana B'koach too. The Munkatcher
connects this to the Chassidic custom to read Hodu (from Psalms)
Friday night because it speaks there about being redeemed from difficulties
that rule our weekday efforts, and the essence of Shabbat is that we move
away from the physicality of the world.
This is the reason for the order of first Hodu (which remove from
us the weekday difficulties), then Ana B'koach (to begin our journey
from the mundane to the holy), and then to intend again the Ana B'koach
(to break through into the spiritual worlds).
Shabbat Shalom, Shaul
P.S. Please also read my weekly Shabbat Law, below.)
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